Carrier for disk-shaped articles

ABSTRACT

A carrier for a plurality of disk-shaped articles such as plates, comprising a strip of flexible sheet material which in use is wrapped around and engages the peripheries of the articles, and which is connected together adjacent its ends to form a hand grip by which the resulting package may be carried. Various connecting means for the hand gripping portions are disclosed.

United States Patent r1 1 Oglesbee 1 Apr. 16, 1974 [54] CARRIER FOR DISK-SHAPED ARTICLES 3,266,687 8/1966 lsoldi 224/45 R Inventor: Richard Oglesbee, Lancaster, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 265,534 3/1950 Switzerland 206/52 F [73] Assignee: Anchor Hocking Corporation,

Lancaster, Ohio Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerKenneth Noland 7 [22] Flled Sept l9 2 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-W00d, Herron & Evans [21] App]. No.: 290,580

' [57] ABSTRACT g g ;g? g A carrier for a plurality of disk-shaped articles such as [58] Fie'ld 49 45 plates, comprising a strip of flexible sheet material 206/52 F 52 R 52 which in use is wrapped around and engages the peripheries of the articles, and which is connected to- [56] References Cited gether adjacent its ends to form a hand grip by which the resulting package may be carried. Various con- UNITED STATES PATENTS necting means for the hand gripping portions are dis- 2,008,443 7/1935 Froelig 224/45 P 1 d 2,422,594 6/1947 Stengren 206/62 P 3,363,827 1/1968 11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Renner et a] 224/54 P PAIENI APR 1 6 m4 SHEET 2 (IF 2 'CARRIER FOR DISK-SHAPED ARTICLES This invention relates to means for hand-carrying a group of disc-shaped articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a combined wrapper, package and carrier which peripherally engages and captures the articles in coaxial arrangement, and which also spaces them apart from one another so that they are not in facial contact. The carrier includes an integral hand grip by which it may be carried with articles wrapped in it.

The carrier of this invention is especially suitable for the retail merchandising of items such as dinner plates, platters, saucers, sauce dishes, phonograph records, and the like. (As used herein, the term disc-shaped articles is meant to include such articles even through they may be somewhat concave rather than flat. The term is not limited to circular articles, but also includes articles of oval outline.) At the present, when dinner plates are sold at retail, they are usually packaged by arranging them in a stack with some separating means such as tissue paper between the individual plates to avoid scratching. The resulting stack is then packaged in a cardboard box, which is then closed and tied. This package is relatively bulky, slow to complete, and it cannot readily be carried by one hand. Moreover, such packages usually require stuffing with tissue paper to minimize article movement in the package and to cushion any sidewise bumping impact.

The present invention is a new concept for packaging such articles. and provides economical and efficient means for packaging them. It dispenses with the need for cardboard boxes and interleaved sheets of tissue paper as have been used in the past, and at the same time securely immobilizes the articles against relative movement within the package.

It is a distinctive feature of the invention'that it also provides an integral hand grip by which the packaged articles can readily be carried with one hand. At the same time. the package presents a novel, attractive and distinctive appearance which in itselfis a valuable merchandising aid.

Broadly described, the combined package and carrier of this invention comprises an elongated strip formed from flexible sheet material, and is especially configured to be wrapped around the peripheries of the articles so as to engage them at their edges and to be connected to itself at its end portions in a'manner forming a convenient hand grip, The middle or article supporting portion of the strip is formed with article supports for engaging and capturing the edges of the articles, such that they are spaced aparttransversely and cannot contact one another facially. Outwardly of the article supporting portion, the strip has handle extensions, each of which includes a hand hold aperture through the strip adjacent the end thereof. A grip forming portion extends across each end of the strip. The length of the strip is greater than the edge circumference of the articles and, when placed around a group of the articles engaged by the respective supports, the handle extensions can be placed in facial engagement with one another in a plane that projects radially outwardly from the edges of the articles. The handle extensions are connectable to one another to join the strip into a loop in which the articles are embraced, and the grip forming portions interfit with each other to provide a hand grip at the end of the handle extensions for carrying the carrier with the articles in it.

It is known in the prior art to package articles in coaxial, spaced relation by capturing them within encircling wrapping means engaging their peripheries. Such packages are shown in prior art US. Pats. Nos. 2,747,787; 3,374,598; 3,393,495; and 3,447,676. Such packages are known as log packs in the industry and have been used to'package a large plurality of articles such as glass headlight lenses for in-process plant transportation. However, the log packs have provided no hand grip for carrying them, as a result of which they have generally had to be carried by external and supplemental means.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier of this invention has article separating grooves along its article engaging length. The portions of the handle extensions between each extreme end of the strip and the aperture adjacent that end, form gripping portions which cooperate with each other in an interlocking or snap fit to bind the ends of the strip together. One of the handle extensions is formed with a slot inwardly of the hand grip aperture. The other handle extension is shaped to be insertable through this slot and, when passed through the slot and brought into facial proximity to the other end, the grip portions fit together to bind the article supporting portion of the strip about the article peripheries and to form the handle. In an alternate em bodiment, the slot is omitted and the handle extensions, inwardly of the apertures, are facially engaged with each other.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. as used to package a plurality of dinner plates,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-section taken along the lines 22 of FIG. I, showing the carrying handle and grip;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. l,

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a preferred embodiment of the carrier strip in layout or open position,

FIG. 5 is a side view of the strip shown in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handle and grip portion of an alternative form of carrier, with the two respective handle forming portions positioned parallel to one another before they are actually connected,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6, but shows the handle portions connected to one another to complete the package, I

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the lines 99 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, in layout or open position.

A package including a carrier formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is designated by 10 in FIG. 1. The carrier 11 of package 10 is formed from a flexible strip of sheet plastic material (for example, polyethylene), and is shown encircling a plurality of disk-shaped articles such as plates 12.

The carrier positions the plates 12 one behind another in generally coaxial relation and engages and holds them at their peripheries in this position. The carrier both packages the articles and provides means for carrying them by one hand. The flexible strip or carrier 11 has a handle area or extension 13 and 14 adjacent its respective ends (see FIG. 4). These handle areas 13, 14 are joined to the middle, or article supporting and engaging portion 20, of strip 11 by intermediate connector portions 21, 22 respectively.

For the purpose of holding the plates 12 in spaced relation in the carrier, the article supporting portion of strip 11 is provided with a plurality of article supports preferably in the form of article edge-receiving grooves 16 which are separated by bosses or lands 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the particular carrier 11 shown is configured to carry four plates, there being four article-receiving grooves 16 in engaging portion 20, the grooves being separated by three bosses 15.

As shown in FIG. 5, the article supporting portion 20 of the carrier comprises three molded arcuate or curved sections 17, 18 and 19, with the connector portions 21. and 22 projecting outwardly from the outer curved sections 17 and 19 respectively. The handle portions 13 and 14 are formed to reside in planes which extend-at an angle from the respective connector portions 21 and 22 (see FIG. 5). Thus, an angled hinge line 24 is defined between each handle extension and the respective connector.

The handle extensions 13 and 14 are each formed to present a hand hold aperture 25 and 26 respectively, adjacent theouter end thereof for carrying the package. The areas between the apertures 25 and 26 and the respective extreme ends of the handle extensions 13 and 14 are shaped to form gripping portions 27 and 28. A slot 29 is formed across the inner end of handle portion l4 adjacent the hinge line 24 where the handle portion joins the connector portion 22. Handle extension 13 includes a neck 30 of reduced width, which is sized to pass through slot 29 of the outer handle portion in use. The grip portion 27 is sized so that it can be passed through slot 29 but cannot freely slide out of the slot once engaged therein. When neck 30 is inserted through slot 29 the two handle forming portions 13 and I4, and the grips 27 and 28, are in facial engagement as shown in FIG. 2.

In order to hold the carrier securely about the articles to be packaged, the handle extensions are secured together or interlocked by means which securely hold the ends of the flexible strip 13 together. FIG. 2 shows the handle extensions 13 and I4 united at the slot at 29 and by a press-fit of the grip portions 27 and 28. More specifically, when the articles are placed within the respective grooves 16 and the strip bent or wrapped around them, the end or grip portion 27 beyond handle extension 13 is inserted through the slot 29, and the two grip portions 27 and 28 interlocked to hold the handle portions together. Specifically, the respective grip portions are bowed (as viewed in section, see FIG. 2) around the apertures 25 and 26, at 33, so that grip 28 snaps or nests within grip portion 27.

The areas 32 and 33 at each side of and immediately inwardly of the apertures 25 and 26 are also formed to snap fit together or interlock, as shown. It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the gripping portions 28 and 32 are nested within the gripping portions 27 and 33 to form a snap" fit, thereby maintaining the two together to form an integral grip for hand carrying.

While the carrier may be made from a variety of materials and in a variety of processes. in the preferred embodiment, strip 11 is thermoformed in polyethylene. This process allows the use of a slight negative draft in the gripping areas 27, 28, 32 and 33 to provide the snap lock for the grip. Alternately, the cooperating grip areas, and/or the juxtaposed handle portions 13 and 14, can be joined as by heat-sealing or by gluing.

In the preferred embodiment, the handle portions 13 and 14 project substantially radially outwardly from the center of the loop which is formed by the carrier 11 when it surrounds the articles 12. The connecting portions 21 and 22, which are between the article suporting portion 20 and the handle portions, extend generally tangentially from the article peripheries, angularly to the handle portions. These connecting portions are preferably ribbed, as at 36, for additional stiffening.

The articles may be packaged in the carrier by placing the carrier strip on a support, with the arcuate sections 17-19 facing upwardly. The articles are set into the respective grooves 16 of central section 18. In this connection, section 18 either alone or with an adjacent section should have a sufficient circumferential dimension that it will hold upright articles placed in it, so that the articles do hot tip over or become disengaged from the strip prior to the time the remaining section'or sections are bent around the articles to complete the package. An arcuate length of about for each section l7-l9 works well for this purpose.

It should also be noted that the grooves 16 do not extend continuously over the length of the entire article engaging portion 20, but rather are interrupted at hinge areas or lines 37 and 38 between sections 17 and 18, and 18 and 19. These hinges permit the curved sections 17 and 19 to be bent toward one another, around articles in section 18. Continuous ribs would stiffen and rigidify the article engaging portion 20 making it difficult to open the carrier for article loading or subsequently to wrap it about the articles contained in section 18.

In addition to receiving and supporting the articles by their edges, the grooves '16 space the articles apart so that they do not contact one another (see FIGS. 1 and 3). They also reduce the impact of bumps, etc. on the side of the carrier, as for example when the package is set down.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6-10. This embodiment differs principally from the preferred embodiment described above in the manner in which the handle portions interlock. In place of inserting one handle portion through the other, in this embodiment the handle portions snap-fit together. This carrier comprises article-engaging portions that are similar to those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (elements similar to those of the preferred embodiment are identified by similar numerals, with the suffix a"').

The strip 11a has handle extensions 13a and 140. These extensions define at their outer ends apertures 25a and 26a, and gripping portions 27a and 28a form the extreme ends of the respective extensions. In use, the extensions 13a and 14a facially engage and are connected by snap-interfitted ribs 42 and 43. These grooves and ridges cooperate to provide an interlock for the handle portions 13a and when pressed together. These ribs are formed with a slight negative draft to provide the snap-fit.

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that the present invention provides an economical, attractive and efficient carrier and package for diskshaped articles which can easily and safely be carried by one hand.

Other variations and modifications of applicants invention will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the applicant intends to be bound only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carrier for a plurality of disk-shaped articles such as plates, arranged one in front of another, comprising,

an elongated strip of flexible sheet plastic material,

said strip having a handle extension at each end thereof, each handle extension including a hand hold aperture through the strip adjacent the end thereof and an adjacent grip-forming portion,

said strip between the handle extensions having an article supporting portion dimensioned to be wrapped around the peripheries of said articles in continuous engagement therewith in use, said article supporting portion having article supports and spacing bosses molded integrally into it and engaging and capturing the edges of article in use, said supports being spaced apart transversely to separate articles having their edges engaged by the respective supports. said article supports being discontinuous and interrupted in the longitudinal direction of said article supporting portion to enable the said portion to be wrapped around said articles in the manner described,

each handle extension being angulated with respect to said article supporting portion os that when said article supporting portion is wrapped around a group of articles, said handle extensions will project radially outwardly from the edges of said articles and will be in facial engagement with one another.

the said handle extensions being connectable to one another to join the ends of the strip together,

and the grip-forming portions fitting together to provide a grip adjacent to the handle extensions for carrying the carrier with articles captured in it.

2. A carrier for a plurality of disk-shaped articles such as plates. comprising,

an elongated strip of flexible sheet material,

said strip having a handle extension at each end thereof, each handle extension including a hand hold aperture through the strip adjacent the end thereof and a grip-forming portion across the end of the said strip,-

said strip between the handle extensions having an article supporting portion formed with article supports along it for engaging and capturing the edges of articles in use, said supports being spaced apart transversely to separate articles having their edges engaged on the respective supports,

each handle extension being angulated with respect to said article supporting portion so that when a group of articles is engaged by the respective supports of said strip, said handle extensions will project radially outwardly from the edges of said articles and will be in facial engagement with one another,

the said handle extensions being connectable to one another to join the ends of the strip together,

one of said handle extensions including a transverse slot and the other of said handle extensions including a neck portion which can be pressed through said slot to overlap said one handle extension, and the grip-forming portions fitting together to provide a grip outwardly of the handle extensions for carrying the carrier with articles captured in it.

3. A carrier as in claim 2 wherein said grip-forming portions fit together in a snap-fit.

4. A carrier as in claim 3 wherein said grip-forming portions are bowed and have a slight negative draft so as to nest together in said snap-fit.

5. A carrier as in claim 2 wherein the overlapping portions of said handle extensions are sealed together.

6. A carrier as in claim 1 wherein said handle extensions are connectable together over the areas thereof that facially engage one another in use.

7. A carrier as in claim 6 wherein said handle extensions are connectable together by press-fitting portions.

8. A carrier as in claim 7 wherein said grip portions are interlocked.

9. A carrier as in claim 1 wherein said article supporting portion comprises arcuate sections having said supports formed therein, said arcuate sections being connected by transverse hinge lines at which the strip can be bent to encircle articles in use. I

10. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said supports are grooves for receiving the edges of the articles.

ll. A carrier as in claim 1 wherein said each handle extension joins said article supporting portion through a connecting portion which lies at an angle to the respective handle extension and which in use projects generally tangentially away from the edges of articles carried in the carrier, 

1. A carrier for a plurality of disk-shaped articles such as plates, arranged one in front of another, comprising, an elongated strip of flexible sheet plastic material, said strip having a handle extension at each end thereof, each handle extension including a hand hold aperture through the strip adjacent the end thereof and an adjacent grip-forming portion, said strip between the handle extensions having an article supporting portion dimensioned to be wrapped around the peripheries of said articles in continuous engagement therewith in use, said article supporting portion having article supports and spacing bosses molded integrally into it and engaging and capturing the edges of article in use, said supports being spaced apart transversely to sepaRate articles having their edges engaged by the respective supports, said article supports being discontinuous and interrupted in the longitudinal direction of said article supporting portion to enable the said portion to be wrapped around said articles in the manner described, each handle extension being angulated with respect to said article supporting portion os that when said article supporting portion is wrapped around a group of articles, said handle extensions will project radially outwardly from the edges of said articles and will be in facial engagement with one another, the said handle extensions being connectable to one another to join the ends of the strip together, and the grip-forming portions fitting together to provide a grip adjacent to the handle extensions for carrying the carrier with articles captured in it.
 2. A carrier for a plurality of disk-shaped articles such as plates, comprising, an elongated strip of flexible sheet material, said strip having a handle extension at each end thereof, each handle extension including a hand hold aperture through the strip adjacent the end thereof and a grip-forming portion across the end of the said strip, said strip between the handle extensions having an article supporting portion formed with article supports along it for engaging and capturing the edges of articles in use, said supports being spaced apart transversely to separate articles having their edges engaged on the respective supports, each handle extension being angulated with respect to said article supporting portion so that when a group of articles is engaged by the respective supports of said strip, said handle extensions will project radially outwardly from the edges of said articles and will be in facial engagement with one another, the said handle extensions being connectable to one another to join the ends of the strip together, one of said handle extensions including a transverse slot and the other of said handle extensions including a neck portion which can be pressed through said slot to overlap said one handle extension, and the grip-forming portions fitting together to provide a grip outwardly of the handle extensions for carrying the carrier with articles captured in it.
 3. A carrier as in claim 2 wherein said grip-forming portions fit together in a snap-fit.
 4. A carrier as in claim 3 wherein said grip-forming portions are bowed and have a slight negative draft so as to nest together in said snap-fit.
 5. A carrier as in claim 2 wherein the overlapping portions of said handle extensions are sealed together.
 6. A carrier as in claim 1 wherein said handle extensions are connectable together over the areas thereof that facially engage one another in use.
 7. A carrier as in claim 6 wherein said handle extensions are connectable together by press-fitting portions.
 8. A carrier as in claim 7 wherein said grip portions are interlocked.
 9. A carrier as in claim 1 wherein said article supporting portion comprises arcuate sections having said supports formed therein, said arcuate sections being connected by transverse hinge lines at which the strip can be bent to encircle articles in use.
 10. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said supports are grooves for receiving the edges of the articles.
 11. A carrier as in claim 1 wherein said each handle extension joins said article supporting portion through a connecting portion which lies at an angle to the respective handle extension and which in use projects generally tangentially away from the edges of articles carried in the carrier. 